Why do we spend so much time, effort and energy on getting better at what we are no good at? Why do we spend so much time trying to improve our weaknesses? Because that is how we were conditioned, that is what everyone always told us. You are no good at this, you need to spend your time working on it and getting better. So that is what we do, instead of spending time getting better at what we are already good at, we spend time in the weak areas. What are the results, now we are a bit better at our weakness and no better in our strengths?

If on a scale of one to ten you are a two at something, you might with much time, effort and energy become a four, but so what? People do not pay for being fours; they pay people for being nines and tens. Translation, start working on your strengths and become great at them.

Did I just dream all this up? I am not that smart. Most of this came from an excellent CD I was listening to. We have not yet discussed John C. Maxwell, but he is one of the great authorities on leadership. While on vacation I had the opportunity to listen to one of his great CD's, which talked about this area. It talked about building your strengths and getting great at what you are good at. The author, John, was discussing Marcus Buckingham (remember "First Break all the Rules) in his new book, "Now Discover your Strengths". The thesis of the book, getting better at what you are good at.

When I reflect on the book, it makes such great sense, but first we have to get by all that conditioning we grew up with. How many of us, how many of our managers and leaders spend their time trying to get better at what they aren't any good at. John Maxwell on his CD sets a great example. "Remember when you came home from school with an "A" in Math and a "C" in English, what did they tell you, good math grade, now spend your time getting that English grade up. But, what this process is telling you is you are not that good at English, and even with tremendous work, you might only be fair, but you are a Math person, so get great at Math. Don't spend your time getting fair at English; spend your time becoming great at Math.

I know, I know, it is hard to swallow for some of you out there. But take time and look back on your own life and tell me how successful have you been at taking what you were not any good at and becoming great at it? Please send me the stories.

If you are a great sales person, then work at becoming an even great sales person, that is what people will pay you for, which is what will make you successful. If you are good at leading people, then get even better at it. Spend your time, energy and resources at taking those things, which you are good at and become great. People will pay you for what you are great at.

If you suck at selling, then hire a top-notch person to sell for you. If you are bad at organization, then find someone to organize your life for you. If you cannot deal well with people, but are a super designer, then design and let someone else handle the people. Do what you are good at and become great at it.

What I have presented here is a different way of looking at your abilities. However, when you spend sometime thinking about it, and you get the book, "Now Discover your Strengths" take the test, and then let me know what you think.

I hope this generates some email back to question me. However, let's face it, take some time, find out what you are best at, and become great at it. It will help you and your organization to become great.



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